Inspired by Psalm 139, this deeply personal and spiritual children’s picture book narrates the childhood experiences of Coretta Scott King Medalist, Jan Spivey Gilchrist. In notes, she relates that she and her 13 siblings grew up in a Christian home where their parents taught them that God knew them completely. She writes, “My father and mother gave us the world. They told us to connect to God and not let anyone take us from that road.”
Warm watercolor paintings and black-and-white illustrations complement the lyrical prose that recounts joyful and difficult events and circumstances. About her birth, Spivey Gilchrist says, “YOU made me ME. \ In Your image. \ Black. \ And beautiful. \ And blessed. \ Full of Your powerful promise. \ YOU knew me before I knew myself. \ YOU saw me tight like a balloon inside my mother.”
About a trying time when she was confined to a wheelchair, Spivey Gilchrist writes, “YOU saw me when I cracked \ and broke into tiny pieces. \ YOU knew my legs would break. \ YOU knew I would fall.” Then she shares a hopeful note, “YOU found me when I was scared and lost. \ YOU knew how to help me. \ YOU knew I would one day stand tall.”
You See Me, God would be a beautiful and meaningful gift to celebrate a child’s birth or baptism. (Our Daily Bread Publishing)
About the Author
Sonya VanderVeen Feddema is a freelance writer and a member of Covenant CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario.